The Bestowal And The Betrayal

by DARKE, R. | Category: N/a | Jun 2002

The life of the Lord Jesus was rapidly drawing to a close. Israel's leaders were planning His death. They 'plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him' (Mat.26:4). At Bethany, in the home of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster cruse of exceedingly precious ointment. It was a highly valued perfumed oil, possibly liquid myrrh. It was a gift worthy of a king, and the woman poured it upon His gracious head as He sat having a meal with the host, Simon the leper. Imagine the impact the fragrance would have upon the guests! Yet the Lord's disciples reacted in a negative, unpleasant way. '"Why this waste?"' was their comment (v.8).

Their minds were not occupied with the Lord and His worthiness, but with material values only. Their materialistic reaction was, '"This fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor."' Shame on them! How worthy He was of such adulation! Was He not born a King? Had He not revealed His royal characteristics? Was He not the eternal Son of God,

'Sent from the Eternal Father,

Who dwells in light above'? (C.M.Luxmoore)

Where was the disciples' vision? How careful we need to be with our words! How short-sighted we can become to our detriment in depriving the Lord of life and glory of the honour that belongs to Him! Where were the eyes, the emotions and the affections of the disciples at this time? The ointment was not for the poor, but for Him! Their priorities were misplaced; their eyes were in the wrong direction. The woman was acknowledging His worthiness, recognizing Him as the Son of God. The Lord revealed her spiritual insight, '"For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial"' (v.12).

Did they hear the significance of His words? Did they realize He was telling them of His impending death? Graciously He added this tribute, '"Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her"' (v.13). What a compliment!

This was a gravely significant time. Judas went away to the chief priests to barter for the price of His betrayal. '"What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?"' were his ruthless words (v.15). It was then that his hands, his affections and his life were soiled by thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave. What a picture for us to study in the quietness of our minds! A dear, loving, affectionate woman, whose heart beat in love towards the Master, showered His loving head with the precious gift of fragrant oil; and a greedy, grasping traitor of a man held out his wicked hands to be soiled by thirty pieces of silver. What a contrast!

DARKE, R. | Jun 2002
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